Bath crashed out of the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 36-20 quarter final loss to Stade Francais at the Rec on Saturday, but it was a shocking spitting incident in the first half that claimed all the headlines. Peter Stringer has since said that he was 'disgusted'.

Stade Francais scored some lovely tries in their dismantling of the home side but this incident soured affairs regardless of the result. It occured when Stringer and Fillol got in a bit of a tangle after the whistle, and despite competitive tussles between halfbacks being the norm, there appeared to be no real reason for such a filthy reaction.

After the game Stringer said: "Obviously it is a bit raw at the moment, but it happened on the pitch and there is no place in the game for it. That's as low as you can probably go. When you are on the end of something like that you are rattled by it, but try not to dwell on it. It's out of my hands now."

The former Ireland number nine was livid but kept his cool, telling referee Nigel Owens what happened. Owens' response was something along the lines of "I can only deal with what I see".

Stringer took to Twitter this morning, clearly still unhappy about Fillol's behaviour.

Fans will be hoping appropriate action is taken, which we will find out about tomorrow. Independant citing officer Eugene Ryan, from Ireland, has 50 hours from kick-off to make his decision.

Brett Gosper, CEO of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Tweeted: "Spitting on Stringer should be punished to the full extent of the law. #NotRugby"

Ban him. This is one of the worst things I've seen on here in a while. As someone commenting on facebook said about this, I'd rather be punched in the face than spat on. This should be a serious ban to send a message loud and clear to others.

I thought the commentator got the tone absolutely right. Get him the **** out of here.

That's a really good point, it's not like there was anything unusual from Stringer... Crazy reaction to a pretty standard piece of defensive play. I hope the lack of any obvious wind-up means he gets a longer ban. None of this 'previous good behaviour' bollocks.

Stringer is a Hall of Fame pest, at a rugby position where being a pest might be considered a specialist skill.

Many guys have wanted to retaliate against Stringer over the years. I'm sure there is a list as long as the day is. IMHO, some level of retaliation is usually "deserved" (even if it's not smart for your team) against a pest of a scrumhalf. Troncon's punch was deserved -- even though it was not wise.

But whatever Stringer might "deserve" put aside, the way an opponent chooses to retaliate reflects more on him than on Stringer.

No one can explain to me how spitting on an opponent somehow makes you good in the eyes of the rugby Gods.

Everyone likes seeing a pesky scrum half put in their place, but you do that in the open and in a way that lays down the law about how far you're willing to let them push things. Spitting at him is the exact opposite of this.

Everyone likes seeing a pesky scrum half put in their place, but you do that in the open and in a way that lays down the law about how far you're willing to let them push things. Spitting at him is the exact opposite of this.

That is just disgusting, says a lot about the character of both men. Excellent restraint showed by Stringer. If Fillol thinks that is any way to act in any situation at all then he needs a smack upside the head. What do you hope to prove by spitting at an opponent?

Totally agree and what's interesting about that particular episode is the early signs of soccer player behaviour from Fillol in the way he writhed on the ground like he had been shot. I suppose we should have seen this coming.

I wonder which law Brett Gosper is refering to, and which punishment is considered in that case (suspension? fine?).
Things get usually dirty on the field. I hope Jérôme Fillol will at least apologize to the player for this...

Ok Nigel why didn't u use the video ref option? A quick word with the boys upstairs when u r told this happened and he'd have been issued a red card surely. If he finds out stringer is lying, he cards him. He option is there, should it not be used?

It is a bit worrying that Stade in particular have had this happen, and had to deal with Parisse swearing at the referee. Sadly, some rugby players seem to be acting more like footballers recently (even the reaction of SF to Parisse's sending off ie. Dupuy). Ban him for as long as possible.

I'm constantly amazed at the 'line of acceptablity' by some commentators on this site
Stamping , dropping on head, arms smashing through necks and faces , even gouging & arm breaking seem to be all more acceptable than spitting in the sanction level demanding of some.

Stringer has gone up in my respect, for his control , but we all know that the reactors get more punishment than the catalysts in most occassions, so he was on a hiding to nothing if he'd reacted.

This is a classic instance of when Video/TV replays have massive value to rid our sport of this crap..

It's interesting that you bring up the TMO here.
Like everybody else, I thought Peter Stringer acted with great self-restraint and class in the face of the disgusting behaviour by Fillol.
However, if he had reacted, caused a mellee, and then complained about the spit, it is possible that Nigel Owens would have referred the incident to the TMO (assuming you can do that in the Challenge Cup as in the Premeirship). If the TMO had seen it then Fillol would surely have been sent off.
A less noble approach would have potentially benefitted his team.

I'm with everyone else here. That was one of the most atrocious acts I've ever seen on a rugby pitch. I hope he gets made an example of. And as several people have said, what did he even do it for? He got tackled legally and fairly, so he spits in the guys face? No mitigating circumstances whatsoever, so no excuse at all.

And I'm not a fan of Stringer at all, but he reacted incrediby well, considering what had happened. Hats off to him.

I miss the old days, where if this was missed, the two captains and the ref would have huddled together and either the ref or the Bath captain would have said to Parisse:

"Sergio. We know something happened, and something got missed. In the interest of the game, and your players' safety, I strong suggest that #9 may have injured himself (i.e. before tactical subs, you could only sub injuries) at the next stoppage of play.

I would hate to be looking the other way at the next breakdown, and see you #9 come out of it with his back looking like a meat grinder crossed over it. But I only have two eyes to watch 30 players. I just might not see something. After all, I may have just missedd something now.

Absolutely right I am just watching this with my son trying to explain how despicable and revolting this act is. I can confirm having been spat on myself in the early 80's ( I was a nasty obnoxious second row who gave out to the opposition and usually got it in the neck) your supposition and recollection of events is what occurred . I am pleased to say the offender( Greenock academy back) was rucked until he bled!
No place in the game give him a years ban

Absolutely right I am just watching this with my son trying to explain how despicable and revolting this act is. I can confirm having been spat on myself in the early 80's ( I was a nasty obnoxious second row who gave out to the opposition and usually got it in the neck) your supposition and recollection of events is what occurred . I am pleased to say the offender( Greenock academy back) was rucked until he bled!
No place in the game give him a years ban

If any player did that in a club match in Ireland or UK he would have got a slap from his own players, No place for that scumbag in Rugby, Soccer wouldn't even have him. Stringer was the ultimate professional as usual and walked away, should add to the Ban as the stringer did not provoke or retaliate. Hope it's a 52week ban. that will send the message.

Absolutely disgusting. Unfortunately given the recent leniency shown in the Parisee's despicable insolence toward the referee and officials (standard for him) where he was given only a 30 day ban, that was laughably reduced on appeal by 10 days, I fear Fillol will get away with a 4-7 week ban. It now appears that football style behaviour is acceptable but legitimate hard tackling; Warburton in WC semi, or Tom Varndells superb tackle http://www.rugbydump.com/2013/01/2951/tom-varndell-tip-tackle-on-horacio-agulla is now deemed dangerous. If the powers that be at the IRB, Paddy O'Brien et al., want to continue like this, I suggest the abdicate and take up football. Rugby is a MAN's game there should be no place for spitting and backchat, I hope that he is banned for the full 52 weeks.

No, he also misses any chance of playing in the international tours, and misses the pre season too, the time in the summer where there is no rugby is not included in the ban, did you actually read the article?